Mastitis and milk production

[cowes]

I wonder if I have mastitis as I have what looks like an infected duct. I wondered if it was infectious?
Also, does it stop your milk production after you have it? I have been breast feeding for 3 months now

Thanks

I had mastitis with DS2. It is not infectious, I only had in one breast. you can help it to clear by doing the following. You get red marks on the part of your breast where there is a blockage. Whatever you do carry on feeding as this will clear it, I also expressed to speed this up and on advice of bf counsellor did lying down feeding with ds2 lying over my shoulder to clear blockage on top of breast, apparently the baby's chin does a lot of the pushing on the breast that gets milk flowing so positioning baby wherever their chin is on the blocked, red part of the breast will help, if that makes sense. Yours may be in a different position so try out whatever works for you.

Mastiis doesn't affect milk production afterwards, I had it when ds2 was about 4 weeks and we have been fine since, he's now 16 weeks.

I was really feverish so hope you have avoided this. i tried paracetamol but this only helped for a few hours so I needed anti biotics in the end. if you have fever that lasts over 24 hours (I think) then you need to see your GP and if they don't know there are anti-biotics you can take with breastfeeding.

Good luck and hope it goes away and you can carrp on feeding easily.

Important thing is to carry on feeding as this is the best way to empty the breast. If you feel the breast isn't drained after the feed, then express.

If you feel worse then go and get some ABs, as it can go downhill quickly. Don't be fobbed off with wait and see. My GP told me not to feed, so don't listen to this advice.

Contrary to old advice the milk is not tainted in anyway.

Also get as much support as you can. Normally you only need to mention mastitis and people will be round wincing and doing everything for you. I had DH off work for the day as it hurt to lift her up.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the help x